by Stanley Azuakola

Alhaji Mujahhid Dokubo-Asari has been one of President Jonathan’s fiercest (in every sense of the word) backers. The ex-Niger Delta militant and self-acclaimed freedom fighter has threatened fire and brimstone several times on anyone who as much as suggest a change of guard at the presidential villa. (See some of his outbursts here and here)

Well, it appears now that he has excellent reasons to fight for the the status-quo  to remain.

A Wall Street Journal report yesterday titled ‘Nigeria’s Former Oil Bandits Now Collect Government Cash,’ disclosed that Asari earns $9 million (N1.420 billion) annually by guarding the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline he used to blow during his freedom fighting days.

According to the American newspaper,

“Last year, Nigeria’s state oil company began paying him $9 million a year, by Mr. Dokubo-Asari’s account, to pay his 4,000 former foot soldiers to protect the pipelines they once attacked. He shrugs off the unusual turn of events. “I don’t see anything wrong with it,” said the thickly built former gunman, lounging in a house gown at his home here in Nigeria’s capital.”

He isn’t the only ex-militant with a new day job as billionaire pipeline guard however. According to a senior NNPC official who spoke with the Wall Street Journal, Gen. Ebikabowei “Boyloag” Victor Ben is receiving $3.8 million (N599.64million)  annually, same with Gen. Ateke Tom, while Government “Tompolo” Ekpumopolo, gets $22.9 million (N3.614billion) to protect pipelines.

The Wall Street Journal also wrote that:

“A liaison to Mr. Tom declined to comment on the contracts. Mr. Ekpumopolo didn’t return phone calls and messages. Mr. Ben, when reached for comment, asked, “How much money is involved in this interview?” and then hung up.

“Later, he sent an enigmatic text: “Very wel dn im nt dispose bt cnsider 100% al u wnt ,we need investors in niger delta absolute peace is guarante.”

“For President Goodluck Jonathan, a Niger Delta native, such lavish expenditures have become a political liability. Despite a growing economy, his country of 167 million struggles to finance even the basics, starting with power plants, roads and sewers. A blossoming middle class in Nigeria’s cities has put further strain on public infrastructure.”

“This year alone, Nigeria will spend about $450 million on its amnesty programme, according to the government’s 2012 budget, more than what it spends to deliver basic education to children.”

According to the paper, some of President Jonathan’s aides could not even fathom an alternative. They reckon that the treasury would face an even worse drain if a full-blown militancy in the delta flared up again.

“If it’s too huge, what are the alternatives?” said Oronto Douglas, a senior adviser to Mr. Jonathan.

The managing director of Shell, Mutiu Sunmonu concurs:  “For you to address the whole issue of poverty and development, you need some kind of peace. That is what I think the amnesty programme has offered.”

However, the Wall Street Journal noted that even though following the amnesty, “Theft fell sharply. Yet now, just as Nigeria’s state oil company has begun institutionalising pipeline-watch jobs for some ex-militants, theft has blossomed again.”

That is the danger, in the opinion of the Shell MD who  said: “It’s quite an escalation. If nothing is done, it will continue to increase because more and more people will just come to feel that this is a gold field. We’re not going to give up on this and run away from it. We believe it can be stopped.”